Literary festival’s on lookout for ‘Friends’

FOLLOWING on from what organisers have hailed as the most successful Henley Literary Festival yet

FOLLOWING on from what organisers have hailed as the most successful Henley Literary Festival yet — with ticket sales up 11 per cent on 2014 — lovers of literature are being invited to become a “Friend of the Festival”.

Benefits include a Friends-only priority booking period, early announcement of next year’s festival line-up, and email alerts for new ticket releases and special events — such as the forthcoming talk by Sir Terry Wogan at the Christ Church Centre on Monday, November 23.

A festival spokesman said: “More than 40 events sold out last year and several in the past sold out before tickets became available to the general public. Being a Friend is your best chance to secure tickets for the year’s most popular talks.”

An added benefit of membership is a range of exclusive discounts and offers from the festival’s partners — including the Quince Tree Cafe, Hotel du Vin, Strada, CAU, the River and Rowing Museum, St Audrey’s Gift and Art Market and WIGG Hairdressing.

Membership costs £35 and runs from November 2, 2015, until October 31, 2016 — but “early birds” signing up before Monday, November 30, will save £5.